The Hornets are about to embark on a defining season, the results of which are certain to dictate the franchise’s long term plan. So much riding on so few games isn’t a new thing for NBA teams, but the Hornets have more at stake than most due to Paul’s unhappiness with the situation.

If they can come out of the gate hot like a few people think they will, It leaves open the possibility that Paul will stay at least for one more year, and leave the teams window for competing for a championship open. If they flounder early, like was the case last year, then it wouldn’t be impossible to see the team dangling Paul as trade bait. It would mean a swift start to a rebuilding process that is already occurring.

My prediction is that the team is going to come out fairly hot and that a month into the season people will forget all about these silly Chris Paul rumors, but what do I know? I’m just a guy who watches basketball, same as any other.

Only difference is that I’m really really confident that this team is going to be good. You would be hard pressed to find anyone who has the optimism that I do about this upcoming season, and that’s why I’m writing something today.

Earlier today, Ryan posted a link to a recent season preview for the Hornets. He added his take on the article and the team.

It’s a decent look at the team as a whole, and if the team isn’t changed between now and the season, I’m not going to lay any bets on them making the playoffs either.

Sometimes I get the feeling that Ryan, and most non-professional Hornets bloggers (save for TickTock and mW) aren’t quite as emotionally invested in winning as I am. And by “emotionally invested in winning”, I mean being a homer.

For three seasons I went to every game and screamed, danced and partied the team to victory. When we lost a close game I cursed, shook my head and stayed in my seat well past the appropriate time to leave. When we won I danced in the streets, tipped the saxophone guy outside the arena, and shouted “Whoooooo” in the parking lot and then from my car at least two dozen times.

Now that cheering has been essentially removed from the equation for me, and the written word is all that’s left in it’s stead, I find myself looking for ways to prove how much I care. This has replaced screaming, heckling opposing fans, trying to win the dance cam (second place three times! %&#^.), and enjoying the free beer and music before games, as my outlet.

Now I don’t mean to say that you can’t love the Hornets and live in New Zealand, Australia, the Philippines, or even Portland, and I hope that nobody thinks that. Ryan is a guy who has been writing about the team for years, lives a short plane ride away, and has yet to go, so I’m calling him out, because he needs to understand the city’s “emotional investment”.

If The Hornets make the playoffs this year, Ryan will commit to coming to one of the first round playoff games.

If not, Hornets247 will donate 200 dollars to a charity of his choice.

Ryan?

The Hornets are about to embark on a defining season, the results of which are certain to dictate the franchise’s long term plan. So much riding on so few games isn’t a new thing for NBA teams, but the Hornets have more at stake than most due to Paul’s unhappiness with the situation.

If they can come out of the gate hot like a few people think they will, It leaves open the possibility that Paul will stay at least for one more year, and leave the teams window for competing for a championship open. If they flounder early, like was the case last year, then it wouldn’t be impossible to see the team dangling Paul as trade bait. It would mean a swift start to a rebuilding process that is already occurring.

My prediction is that the team is going to come out fairly hot and that a month into the season people will forget all about these silly Chris Paul rumors, but what do I know? I’m just a guy who watches basketball, same as any other.

Only difference is that I’m really really confident that this team is going to be good. You would be hard pressed to find anyone who has the optimism that I do about this upcoming season, and that’s why I’m writing something today.

Earlier today, Ryan posted a link to a recent season preview for the Hornets. He added his take on the article and the team.

It’s a decent look at the team as a whole, and if the team isn’t changed between now and the season, I’m not going to lay any bets on them making the playoffs either.

Sometimes I get the feeling that Ryan, and most non-professional Hornets bloggers (save for TickTock and mW) aren’t quite as emotionally invested in winning as I am. And by “emotionally invested in winning”, I mean being a homer.

For three seasons I went to every game and screamed, danced and partied the team to victory. When we lost a close game I cursed, shook my head and stayed in my seat well past the appropriate time to leave. When we won I danced in the streets, tipped the saxophone guy outside the arena, and shouted “Whoooooo” in the parking lot and then from my car at least two dozen times.

Now that cheering has been essentially removed from the equation for me, and the written word is all that’s left in it’s stead, I find myself looking for ways to prove how much I care. This has replaced screaming, heckling opposing fans, trying to win the dance cam (second place three times! %&#^.), and enjoying the free beer and music before games, as my outlet.

Now I don’t mean to say that you can’t love the Hornets and live in New Zealand, Australia, the Philippines, or even Portland, and I hope that nobody thinks that. Ryan is a guy who has been writing about the team for years, lives a short plane ride away, and has yet to go, so I’m calling him out, because he needs to understand the city’s “emotional investment”.

If The Hornets make the playoffs this year, Ryan will commit to coming to one of the first round playoff games.

If not, Hornets247 will donate 200 dollars to a charity of his choice.

Ryan?